zondag 25 april 2010

The richest people of London have become wealthier again

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8642021.stm

According to the Sunday Times Rich List, the richest people of the UK have seen a comeback in their fortunes. In 2009 a lot of people had seen their wealth shrinking, but the fortunes have risen with 30% comparing to last year. The top three consists of Arcelor Mittal owner Mr. Mittal, Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich, and the Duke of Westminster. Mr. Mittal’s fortune grew by 50% because of the recovery of the global steel industry. The Indian businessman Anil Agarwal was the highest climber by moving up 60 places all the way up to number 10.

Opinion:
I think it is ridiculous that those people have so much money. It is even more disturbing that those fortunes have risen with 30% comparing to last year, which is the biggest jump in 22 years. I do not understand how millions of people live in poverty around the world, while those people have billions and billions on their bank accounts. I am sure that some people have worked really hard for this money, but some people were just born that rich already. Money makes life easier, but I would never like to have as much money as the people who are in the Sunday Times Rich List.

London Marathon

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/8641951.stm

About 36,000 people will compete in the 26.2-mile course through London. Special about this year’s event is that the 21 year old Princess Beatrice will be running for Children in Crisis in order to become the first royal to complete the race. The race was almost disrupted by the Icelandic ash cloud, but all the elite athletes made it on time. This year, 74 runners will try to get a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. The most special attempt is the one from George Bingham. He’s hoping that his gigantic costume of 14ft 1in will win him the record of tallest costume.

Opinion:
I did not know that London had his own marathon, but I think it is a real challenge to participate in this race. I think it will be a lot of fun to watch this marathon, because there will be runners who try to get in the Guinness Book of World Records. Another exciting thing to see will be the celebrities who are participating in this race. I think it is great that a member of the royal family is competing. I think quite some people were nervous if the race was going to happen or not because of the ash cloud, but happily everyone could make it on time.

vrijdag 16 april 2010

Nick Clegg seizes his moment in historic TV debate

On the night of April 16th the first TV debate in history was held between prime-minister Gordon Brown, conservative leader David Cameron, and liberal-democratic leader Nick Clegg. According to the poll of The Times, Nick Clegg is the big winner with 61% of the votes, followed by David Cameron with 22% and Gordon brown with 17%. Clegg is the good alternative between the main parties which has been leading the country for 65 years. According to Nick Clegg, those two parties sound the same anyway, so he thinks it’s time for an actual change now.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article7099159.ece


My opinion:
I do not really know anything about the elections in England, but by reading this article I think it is pretty unusual for a liberal-democratic leader to win a first TV debate held in history with 61% of the votes. I think Clegg has been smart by telling the people that the other two just fight a lot, but say pretty much the same things anyway. I think this gives a good view of how the elections has been during the past 65 years. By just looking at this article, I think it is great that the liberal-democrats finally got a chance in this election.